Water service device



Feb. 6, 1945. J, 1-. MCGARRY ETAL 2,368,993

' WATER SERVICE DEVICE Filed May 25, 1942 c/o/m T/Tc Gar/"g Howard AEac/s I INVENFORS,

Patented Feb. 6, 1945 UNI-TED;

2,368,993 WATERYSERVICEDEVICE,

John T. McGarryand, Howard A. Earls, Cincinnati, Ohio; said Ea'ds assignor to said Me- G'arry':

Application May -2 3,-1942,..SeriaLN0. 444,286... 12 Clair'ns. (Cl. 137 21) This. invention zrelates to a-water. service device, and more-.specificallytm a structureccom:

monlyknown I as a-zwater column,-.the function of which is. to serve :boiler; wate 130::3; reservoir. ortank ordinarily carriedgby; theetenderwofa'a" steam locomotive.

One of. the objects -ofi the inventionr is to pro vide structural improvements in a: :water column, inthe interests ofsimplicity;durability; safety;

and reduction of costs in manufacture and maintenance.-

Another object of the invention :is to provide in-a water column; novel means to: facilitate and expedite 'normal iusage ofqthe device; inhomder to avoid =,unnecessaryvefiort and delay inithe.

running schedulezof trains:-

A further object is to providecazwater columnp possessing the stated: advantages; with. :provision madealso for an: increased; delivery-r rates/of: water. to the :tank'ot ithe locomotive :tenden util-= izing existing sources; of :water supply serving;

the .water column.

Another objectisto provide'ina waterzcolumn of: the improved: type disclosed! herein, means." which areyefiective; safeyand .durable; forvlocka ing' the-delivery spout against k'i'ckmp as the water valve is opened' initially" to" servethe tender.

Another object. is to structurally improve a' Water column inisuch'imanner 'as to eifectively withstand heavy strains uand abuses; and thoseelements, of naturezsuclraswice; snow; water,- dust and: intense'heat; whichniightbe expected.

to disable: exposed mechanisms :or devices of the general character hereirr di'sclosedj The .1 foregoing zarrd' 2 other objects are: attained by 'theemeans describeduherein and' disclosed in the accompanying drawing 'in which:

Fig; 1:. is :an: elevational Iview, .partly in cross section showing satwaterz'columrr embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 .isanzenlargedi' cross sectional .view taken on: line 2-2;.of Fig.2 1;

livery spout.

forsswinging. movement of. its-. delivery. sp.out.., from a normally inoperative; elevated. position. parallel to the track, to-an,operativesposition substantially. at right anglesptm the. track,-. with the, delivery spout lowered. over, a.-,1ocom.otive tender and in registry with thewater hole. there.-. of: Inithezinoperative position ofn'the delivery,

spout, the structurepigeferably is helduagainsti Fig, 4' is a perspective views of lag: clutch elementf f or the-glock :bar, .utilized; dnr. the :improved :struc ture.

Fig.- .5' is :;a fragmentalzend 5. View ot "the nozzle? Fig, 6*2is;a* detail view. o-fizaamodifiedaform' of of a;.gooseneck: conduit "illustrated iby- Fig. 1;

valve rodandiclutch-ing assembly;

Like .the water-'ycolumns presently. in use thes water. column of this invention: is adapted; for" placement alongside;:aurailway trackgin.ppositiom accidental swinging movement,- asnwillbe ex.-' plained; while in the operative. position. the. spout is .to ,be, lockedagainst "kick-up resulting. from delivery Jot. water; thereto by. the. nozzle-40f; thestandpipa. or of the: goosenecleconduit which forms: part of the standpipe, The, foregoing, generalstatements will be amplified tase-thede-- scription proceeds-1 InaccordancewiththeIteaching of the present disclosure; the Water 5 column includes sartal-lrigid tower consisting. or three= on more uprights; .1. having :their lower ends :securel-y; bolted. or I otherwise fixed as--. at I 8" toqtheg-pitstructure 9 which, houses the main valve Ill. con-trolling the.-- flow of water through:ther-apparatus; At the-.Mpper, ends ofethe uprights; the rigid tower carries .a top; cap. I 2 which is :fixed .as at. .I.3sto. thetuprightsa The top; cap furnishes-a baseuupon which" may.v be rotated :an elevated: turn-table indicated gen-: erally; by: the character I4. Theetop. cap. and, the turntable are :located at: an elevationwel-l. beyond the reachof workmenconcerned 1. with operation of thewater column, and :the elevation of the turntable may: approximate: -the height of I a locomotive: tender in the Vicinity ofva water: hole irrthe'tankor reservoir; I

.As; illustrated by Figs, 1: and:12,-. the turntable: I4 may. be in-.th'e==form-1of; a cast-ing having a verticalibore I5; through which may -,-extend-,the upper end; portion I6: of a straight verticalv standpipe I 'I, thelower end I 8 of which stand pipe extends: through .an iaperture-s I 91in: the top: of the pit, .where ,saidzlower. end: is .fixed :asat- 20;; to .the outlet .port ;of 'the .maini val-veg I 0 At 2I ;is indicated-1a, swivel union between {the inlet port of theivalve ,andran adjacent portion ofthe. water main 22,-; which supplies; water! to. the. valvegth'e swivel; union being,.;provided for;the purpose: of j permitting bodilyrotation vofthe valve and thestandpipe while at the-same time maintaining a fluid tight relationship thereof to the supply piper The- 'valve' may-include a suitable-lever 23.'opera-ting,iabout a'pivot shaft 24 to I effect opening and closing;- movements --of'-, the valve; In the? form: of. valvet'illustrated herein, partial-. rotation of-Jever '23 .in':-a;-clockwise;directiomseryes to ;.open -the--.va1ve.-. Aseshown in Fig 29 threaded into the material of the turntable,

are adapted to butt against the ,outer surface of the standpipe, which suggestion is illustrative" Unitary rotation of the-turntable with the standpipe may be .efiectedrinany ap-- proved manner. For this purposeythe set-screws.

of one simple arrangement for securing the standpipe to the turntable for rotation therewith, The characters 30 indicate strengtheningribs for the roller bearing brackets. 9 I

In order that the overhanging weight of the structure may not dislocate the standpipe from a vertical position, means are provided for the lateral support of either the turntable or the standpipe. While the track for the rollers might-readily be designed to furnish such lateral support, as inf our 'copending application of even date, the alternative structure illustrated herein might be utilized for the purpose: Said alternative-structure' consists in providingthe 'top' capj'with a rather large bore 3| providing an annular smooth wall, against which may ridethe annular flange 32 that forms anintegral part of and extends radially from the turntable. The contacting'surfaces of the annular bearing 3l32 may be provided with lubricating means, or-with other suitablemeans for reducing friction, if desired.

:The flange 32 preferably is out away as at 33 and 34, to accommodate a pair'of vertical reciprocable valve rods 3536 which are exposed extriorly of the upright standpipe I'Latopposite ends-of a diameter thereof. The-lower ends of these valve rods are to be pivotally connected with levers such as 23 at; opposite sides of the valve, one of said-pivots being illustrated at 31 of Fig. 1 A guide in the form of ei-fperforated extending lug --38 may be furnished in the vicinity of the valve, to support each exposed valve rods 'As will be evident from Fig. 2, the valve rods' 35' and 35 are within the area definedby the bore 31 ofthe top cap |2, so that the rods may move through a complete circle when the turntable isrotated' along with the standpipe and yalv Illa Upon the-upper end ofstandpipel'l, there is fixedly mounted, by means of a flange connection 39 or otherwise, a top section of standpipe indicated generally by the character 40, and'which is preferably in the form of agoos'eneck conduit. The curvature of the. gooseneckconduit' is made quite large, and circular,..so. that it will offer-but little; resistance to a high velocity flow of-water directed thereto by the standpipe, the terminal end. of: the go'osen'eck -conduit-being open at 4| t'o provide a nozzle for directingthe flow generally outwardly and downwardly of the structure. Ata location near'thenozzle, butat a limited'distance therefrom/a pair of oppositely extending bosses 42 may be-furnished, including piyots 43 to support a delivery spout 44 -that is movable aboutthepivots ina vertical plane, from the full line inoperativepositionof Fig. l, to the broken line operative and lowered position indi cated upon the same drawing figure. The bosses 42-42 may be formed integrally with the gooseneck conduit, or as separate parts attached thereto, as desired.

As the delivery spout preferably is constructed of sheet metal, it mayv advisedly be reinforced at its inner or receiving end, by a circumferential heavy metallic strap or hoop 45 riveted or otherwise secured thereto, and provided with bearing means 46 for reecption ofv the pivot shafts or studs 43. The reinforcing means 45 may be of any desired shape or material, so long as it will withstand the strain resulting from grasping the outer end of the delivery spout and rotating the turntable and the standpipe parts I! and 40,

ethrough the connections at 43-46. The character 41 indicates one of a pair of loops or handles fixed to, opposite sides of'the delivery spout in position to be contacted by a firemans hook or otherd'mplement that may be used in swinging the spout about the axis of the standpipe l'l.

'At locations on the gooseneck conduit remote from tlfe 'pivot's 43, a: pair 'ofoppositely extending sto'psor abutments 48 may be provided, either integrally with the gooseneck conduit or as separate parts fixed thereto, to serve as limiting means for the weights49 of a counterbalance' structure forthe delivery spout. The counterbalancestructure may consist of a'pair of rearwardly extending arms 50 fixed to the delivery spout-by means of rivets, bolts or other fasteners 5|, so extended along opposite sides of the goosene'ck lconduit as to locate the pair of weights 49 directly over and upon the stops when the cleliveryspout is .in the full line elevated position of..Fig.' 1. T It may be stated that the weights 49 are adjustable along the-counterbalance arms, for obvious reasons. i

From the foregoing explanation, it should be at once evident that normalusage of the water 001- umn. involves grasping the outer end of the delivery'spout 4.4 toirotate it, with the turntable I 4 and the standpipe parts I! and 40 until the spout'assumes .a position substantially at right angles to a railway track, whereupon the spout may be lowered to' thebroken line position of Fig. 1 by rotating it'about its pivots 4343 until the delivery end 52 of the. spout registers with the water hole of a locomotive tender to be sup-plied with water from .the'water column. Havingso positionedthe delivery'spout, an attendant is required to open the valve I 0, which he does by pulling arope, chain,- cable, or thelike 53 having operative connectionwith the. valve through the vertically reciprocable valve rods 35 and 36. It is convenient to tielon'e end of the element 53 to the handle of the spout as indicatedat 54, the opposite end being tied as at 55 to the free end of a valve rod actuating lever 56. H

The mounting .means for. the valve rod actuating lever 56 may be constituted of one or more extending brackets 51 located upon thegooseneck conduit above the flange 39, said bracket being properly bored to provide bearings for a shaft 58 that carries a fixed: socket 59 in. which the lever 56 is secured. Opposite ends of shaft 58 may have fixedly, mounted .thereon a pair of arms 60, disposed adjacent to each of the valve rods, and pivotally connected thereto at the locations 6 I With the levers .60 and-'56 fixed to vthe'shaft 58 as explained, it will be understood thata pull applied to the flexible element 53 will rotate the lever-assembly 56-60 as a bell crank at the pivotal point 58, to elevate thepair of valve rods in unis'onfor opening the valve. Although but one lever such as 60 is illustrated by the drawing,=it w-ill be under-- way car-roofs and the buckboards of the largestlocomotive tender. By means of "this construc tion, there is .obviated the likelihood of a'passe ing train striking and damaging the water column eventhough the spout be swung toward the the device may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from. the spirit of the invention.

We claim: 1. In a-railway water column ,or the like, the

combination of a tower having a top, portion:

elevated beyond the reach of an attendant, and a lower portion adapted for fixation to a pit structure, a turntable mounted forrotation upon the top portion of the tower, a standpipesup ported by the turntable for rotational movement therewith, and including a nozzle portion for directing a flow of fluid into a delivery spout, said standpipe-extending into the pit structure with the tower in protective relationship thereabout, a delivery spout having a receiving end and a delivery end, means pivoting the receiving end of said spout to the nozzle portion of the standpipe for movement of the delivery end of the spout vertically to elevated and lowered positions, a locking bar pivoted to the delivery spout in depending relationship thereto, and having a free end directed toward the turntable,

means movable bodily with the turntable to clutch the locking bar and establish a fixed condition of the delivery spout angularly to the Standpipaand means for actuating said clutch means concurrently with supplying water under pressureto that end of the standpipe which is disposed within the pit structure.

2. In a railway water column or the like, the combination of a tower having a top portion, and a lower portion adapted for fixation to'a pit structure, a turntable mounted for rotation upon the top portion of the tower, a standpipe supportedby the turntable for rotational movement therewith, and including a nozzle portion for directing a flow of fluid into a delivery spout, said standpipe extending into the pit structure with the tower in protective relationship thereabout, a delivery spout having a receiving end and a delivery end, means pivoting the receiving end of said spout to the nozzle portion of the standpipe for movement of the delivery end of the spout vertically to elevated and lowered positions, a locking bar depending downwardly from the delivery spout and extending toward the standpipe, and means selectively operative to clutch the locking bar and establish a fixed condition of the delivery spout angularly to the standpipe.

3. In a railway water-column or the"like,"th 'e combination of an apertured pit structure and a tower fixed in upstanding relationship to the pit structure and about the aperture thereof, a top cap on the tower including a circular track in a substantially horizontal plane, .a turntable above said cap, and roller means on the turntable to rest upon said circular track for sup; port of the turntable during rotation of the latterfsaid turntable having a central opening, .a

standpipe extending vertically through said central opening and projecting downwardly into the aperture of the pit structure, a supply valve in the pit structure for control of fluid directed upwardly into the standpipe, meansv on the turntable to support the standpipe and enforce rotation of the standpipe with the turntable, a gooseneck conduit mounted for rotation with the turn: table and having a nozzle for directing a flow of fluid from the standpipe downwardly and outwardly of the axis of rotationof the turntable, a delivery, spout having an outer delivery end and an inner receiving end the latter end being receptive of fluid discharging from the nozzle of the gooseneck conduit, and means onthe gooseneck conduit for supporting. the inner receiving end of the deliveryspoutpivotally, to guidethe spout vertically along an'arcuatepath of movement from an upwardly inclined in-= operative position to adownwardly inclined operative position, means including a valverod extending along the exterior of the'standpipe through the aperture of the pit structure, for controlling the opening and closing movements of the valve, said valve rodibeing within the protective interior of the tower throughout substantially the full length of the rod, and means movable with the valve rod for locking the delivery spout against movement about its pivotal support upon the gooseneck. conduit, at various inclinations of said spout. I

4.:In a railway water column or the like, the combination of an pertured pit structure and a tower fixed in upstanding relationship to the pit structure and about the aperture thereof, asupply valve within the pit structure, an upright standpipejhaving a lower end projected through the apertur aforesaid and having a fluid communicating relationship with the valve, said standpipe being-surrounded by the tower substantially throughout the height of the standpipe, a rotatable turntabl atop the tower and means securing the standpipe to the turntable for a and being surrounded and protected by the tower throughout substantially the full height of the valve rod above the pit structure aperture, an actuating lever pivoted to said rod, the lever being in turn pivoted upon the nozzle'element; whereby pivotal-movement of the lever lifts the rod for controlling the valve, a movable locking bar depending from the delivery spout and having an end portion adapted to be clutched for fixing the position of the spout, means on the actuating lever nearthe pivotal point of the rod, for supporting the locking" bar as the inclination of the delivery spout is adjusted, and a stationary clutch member located upon the nozzle element directly above the locking bar, including means to grasp and hold the end portion of said bar incident to elevating movements ofthe valve rod and the lockthe standpipe, a gooseneck conduit at the upper vating of said valverod serves tororce the toothed end of the locking bar into clutching engagement with the "overlying clutching "element. 1

8. ,In-a railway water column ,or the like, the combination :of a a standpipe having upper and lower ends, a water control valve fiuid. com

ing associated therewith a member to normally support the weight of the Jockingbar, :and means to clutch and release the locking loar rasqthe ivalve rod is vertically 'reciprccated in iopposi'te xdirec tions. 1 l V l '6. In a railway water column :or .the dike,:the

.combination of a standpipe. having upperand municating relationship 'with the lower :end of the standpipe, 1a,; gooseneck conduit fixed at the unneren'd of the standpipe, and .a hollow adjustable delivery spout arranged to :receive a stream of water from said acondu-iteand to direct said stream toward a receptacle, a rigidfixed tower surrounding the standpipe in protective relaat one end an operative connection with the valve j to open and close the latten 'said rod being disposed Wholly exteriorly of land in parallelism with the standpipe, the opposite :end of said valve ,rod having associated therewith :a member to normally support the weight of the locking bar, and a clutching element for the. locking bar, disposed for engagement enddiseng'agement with the locking bar as the member supportingWthe weight of the lockingbar is shifted by the valve rod toward and from the clutching element.

7. In a railway water column or the like, the combination of a standpip having upper. and lower ends, a water control valve in fluid communicating relationship with the lower end of the standpipe, a gooseneck conduit fixed at the upper end of the standpipe, and a hollow adjustable delivery spout arranged to receive a stream of water from said conduit and to direct said stream toward a receptacle, a rigid fixed tower surrounding the standpipe in protective relationship thereabout, said tower including a top portion disposed at a substantial elevation approximating the height of the upper end of the standpipe where the latter meets the gooseneck conduit, a turntable rotatable upon the top portion of the tower, pivot means near the exit of the gooseneck conduit supporting the adjustable delivery spout for arcuate movement in a vertical plane, means fixing the upper end of the standpipe to the turntable for rotation therewith, and a vertically reciprocable valve rod disposed exteriorly of the standpipe along the full length of the latter, said valve rod having an operative connection with the valve at its lower end, actuating means near the opposite end of the valve rod for imparting vertical movements thereto and operating said valve to open and closed positions, a locking bar support on said actuating e of the spout in a vertical plane, a rigid fixed tower tionship thereabout, s'aid'towfer including :a top portion disposed at a substantialaelevation "approximating the height :of the upper end of the standpipe where the latter meets the 'gooseneck conduit, ;-a turntable rotatable uponth'e top portion of the :tower, means :on the goose'neck conduit supporting the adjustable delivery" spout for arcua-te movement in ;ayvertical plane,imeans fixing the upper cndof the; standpipe to the turntable forrotation therewithand p, vertically-re ciprocable valve rjod disposedexteriorly of the standpipe along the full lengthof the latter, said valverod havingwan-operative connection with ,the valve at its lower end, means near the opposite en'dof thevalve rod for impartingvertical movements thereto {and operating said valve to open and closed positions,- and means, Operating concurrently with movements :of the valverod, for locking the deliveryspoutto the gooseneckcom duit. V 1

9. In a railway water column ;:or :the like, the combination of astandpipechaving upper and lower ends, :"a water control valve in fiuid icom municating relationship with itheilower end of the standpipe,-a gooseneck vconduitiixexl at the upper end'of the standpipe, and :a hollow adjustable delivery spout including adelivery end and a, receiving end, to receiv a stream of water from said conduit and to direct said stream toward a receptacle, pivot means near the exit of the gooseneck conduit supporting the receiving end of the delivery spout for arcuate movement fre end resting upon said support, and another tive to the spout, a clutch element to grip and means and movable with the valve rod, a locking bar having a toothed end resting on said support,

hold the locking bar upon each movement of the valve operating rod in one direction; thereby to fix the inclination of the spout, whereas move 10. In a railway water column orthe like, the

combination of a rotatable standpipe including valve means at its lower end for the control of fluid flowing into the standpipe, a gooseneck conduit on the standpipe having an exit nozzle at one end, pivot means near the exit nozzle of the 'gooseneck conduit, and a d'eliverysp'out having a receiving end journalled upon said pivot means for adjustment of said spout arcuately in a vertical plane, a locking bar having a forked endkto straddle the gooseneck Conduit, and an opposite end non-rigidly-fixed to the" delivery spout remote from the receiving end thereof, whereby arcuate movement'of the spout induces advancement and retraction of the forks of the locking bar past the gooseneck conduit, a valve actuator, a clutching element, and means operative upon manipulation of the valve actuator to selectively place theforks of the locking bar in clutching relationship with the clutching element. 1

11. In a railwaywatercolumn or the like, the combination of'a rotatable standpipe including valve means at its lower end for the control offiuid flowing into the standpipe, a gooseneck conduit of approximate half-circle configuration having an exit nozzle at one'end, and meansat the opposite end for attachment of the gooseneck conduit to the topof the standpipe, with the major portion of the body of the gooseneck conduit disposed to one side of the'verticalaxis of the standpipe, pivot means near the exit nozzle 'of the gooseneck conduit; and a delivery spout having receiving'end journalled upon said pivot means for adjustment of said spout arcuately in a vertical plane, a counterbalance arm fixed directly upon the delivery spout to extend rearwardly thereof past the pivot means and beyond the vertical axis of the standpipe, a Weight on said arm to counterbalance the weight of the delivery spout; said weight being located at that side of said vertical axis which is opposite to the direction of outward extension of-the deliveryspout, actuating means for the fluid control valve, and releasable means to lock the delivery spout in one of several positions of adjustment when the control valveis opened.

12; In a railwayuv'ater 'colu'mn, or'the like;-

.the'combination' of an apertured pit structure and a tower fixed about th aperture-thereof; a top cap on the tower including a circular track; and a turntable including roller'means to rest upon said track, said turntable having a central opening, a standpipe extendingvertically-throu'g said central opening and projecting into the pi aperture, a valve in the pit structure, means 0 the turntable to support and enforce rotation o the standpipe with the turntable, a gooseneck conduit rotatable with the turntable and having a nozzle, a delivery spout having an end receptive of fluid discharged from the nozzle, 'means on said conduit for pivotally supporting'said end of the delivery spout, to guide the spout vertically along an arcuate path of movement, means including a valve rod extending along the exterior of the 4 standpipe and through the pit aperture, for controlling the valve, said valve rod being within the protective interior of the tower throughout substantially the full length of the rod, an actuator for the;valve rod including a lever pivoted at one end upon the gooseneck conduit, and having its opposite end attached to said rod, a movable looking bar depending from'the delivery spout and having an end portion adapted to be clutched for fixing the position of the delivery spout, means on the actuator lever for supporting the aforesaid end portion of thelocking bar as the inclination of the delivery spout is adjusted, and a clutch element locatedupon the gooseneck conduit in position to grasp the locking bar when the latter is moved into contact therewith incident to ele- JOHN T. MoGARRY. HOWARD A. EADS. 

